Weaving mechanism



y 17, 9 D. c. CHURCHILL 1,858,482

WEAVING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l May 17, 1932. D. c. CHURCHILL WEAVING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 RI Ja May 17, 1932. D. c. CHURCHILL 1,858,482

WEAVING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 2, 1929 s Sheets-Sheet s duo c.441

it which can be Patented May 17, 193 2 UNITED- STATES PATENT OFF-ICE DAVID c. cnuacmn, or IBEBEA, maroon wnavm'e mnsmsu application, filed December}, 1929. SerialKo. 411,005.

effort of the weaver; and such looms are known as hand operated looms, even when some of these operations are performedby the weavers feet.

- It is to this looms that my invention pertains.

In looms of this class, theamount of work produced by a weaver in a day and the quality of that work are determined and limited by the fati e of the weaver which'results from per orming the above mentioned operations. Part of his fatigue results simply fi'om exerting force to over- 7 come the friction of bearings and the inertia sults from monotonously. repeating the same set of movements with the same muscles and from the-effort of maintaining the several movements in the required cyclical harmony; and to some extent from the noise and vibra- 'tion accompanying some. of the operations,

such. as the hanging ofthe beater against its stop. r Obviously, the output of a weaver may be materially increased by improvmg the construction of the loom to give itgreater ease of operation, to reduce the noise and- V shook and vibration therein and to facilitate therhythmical harmonizing of the several movements and to render the movements easier of performance. Y

It is, therefore, the primary obJect of this invention to provide a loom of thejabove mentioned general class' having improved structural features which minimize the 'fatigue of the weaver in the operation thereof,

because of greater ease of operation, and/or which cause the loom to 0 rate with less noise, shock and vibration o the parts thereof and/or'which tend to assist the weaver in setting up and maintaining the necessaryi general comprehensiveclass of therefor whereby the heater is brought to rhythmical sequence of operations, to consequently. enable the weaver to operate the loom with less fatigue of mind and of body and at a greater rate of speed and hence to is. controlled and limited by a mechanism whereby the operation thereof is rendered silent and free om shock.

Another object is toprovide a hand operated heater and a controlling mechanism rest at the fell uniformly on successive movemnts. thereof, whereby the' quality of the work prbduced is improved;

Another object is to provide a. heater controlling mechanismfor hand operated looms -whereby the momentum acquired while swinging in onedirection may'be utilized on the return swing or; stroke and whereby the of the movingparts. Butfatigue also rev operator may apply force to swing the beater at different points of its complete stroke or cycle optionally at diiferent times and thus be relieved from the fatigue of constantly repeating the same movements with the same set of muscles.

of the loom and at a greater-speedthan heretofore.

Another object is to provide in a hand operated loom an improved picking mechanism which may be operated by the weaver with a very simple and easy motion-of his hand.

Another object is ;to provide an improved picking mechanism for hand operated looms, the movement to operate which may be reduced by the weaver to a simple continuous, rhythmical motion and whichis therefore readily' harmonized with the other movements of the loom and is consequently conducive to greaterproductive output by the weaver. Y V

Another object is to provide a picking. mechanism for hand operated looms to'operate which the force applied by the weaver is in such direction and amount as to involve the minimum of, fatigue.

Another object is to provide .a picking mechanism having improved means for applying a straight line throw to the shuttle.

Another object is to provide a picking mechanism having improved means for initiating and stopping the movement of the shuttle.

Another object is to provide an improved construction of heddle harness supporting frame for looms.

Another object is to provide a heddle supporting frame or shedding frame andheddle harness for looms whereby the amplitude of the shed'may be quickly and easily changed and adjustably 'maint-ained; and by which the position of the shed relative to other parts of the loom, such asthe shuttle race, may

be quickly and easily determined and adjustably maintained.

, Another object is to rovide an improved shedding frame and arness construction 5 having adjustment means for adjusting the shed and in which the upper shed may be adjustably changed in position to vary the amplitude of the shed without disturbing the smooth planular condition of the lower shed. Another object is to provide an adjustable shedding frame and harness construction whereby the uppe'r'shed at various adjustments of amplitude of the shed inay be maintained in smooth planular condition.

Another object-is to provide a loom of the hand operated type which may be economical-.

ly constructed and easily and quickly adjust 1 ed and provided with mechanisms for performing the fundamental operations of shed forming, picking and beating; and which mechanisms induce the operator to more readily and naturally fall into rhythmical movements and which are conducive of the mini-' mum of fatigue and the maximum of speed of operation whereby the maximum roductive output of the weaver and the ighest quality of product are effected.

These and other objects of my invention and the invention itself will become apparent from the following description of a an embodiment of my invention, and inwhich description reference will be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which Fig. 1 is aside elevational view of a hand operated loom embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 isa front elevational view of a shedding frame and heddle harness construction forming part of my invention, the view being taken in the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig. 1;-

Fi 3 is a cross-sectional view taken from thei p ane 33 ofFig.2;

4 is a front elevational view of a beater 66 and picking mechanism forming part of my invention, the view being taken in the direction of the arrow 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the beater frame taken in the direction of the arrow 5, Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are front and side elevational views of a picker stick shown also in Fig. 4;-

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a picker stick stop element, shown also in Fig. 4 and the view being taken in the direction of the arrow 8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a takeup ratchet mechanism which I mayemploy and which is also indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a view generally similar to Fig. 1 but with most of the parts omitted for simplicity and with some of the parts shown diagrammatically, and with parts in different positions from those of Fig.1.

' As shown in Fig. 1, the loom consists generally of a bed or frame 1 supported on legs 22. and provided with substantially vertical risers 33, only'one of which is shown. On the upper end of the risers 3-3, are horizontal brackets 4-4, upon which the horizontal supporting beam 110 ofaverticall adjpstable shedding frame is sup orted. T e shedding 'frame is indicated in ig. 1 generally at 111,

and shown more completely in Figs. 2 and 3, and will be more fully described later. Also supported on the brackets 4 as by hinges 5 are the beater frame indicated generally at 118, and the picker mechanism indicated generally at 22 in Fig. 1, and which are more completely shown in Fig. 4 and will be described later.

At 80 is indicated the warp roller or beam from which the warp 79 is carried to the transverse beam 81 and thence to the lease rods 82. From there the warp divides to go to the heddles as is merely indicated in Fig. 1 at 112, being more completely shown in Fig. 10. From theheddlest ewar converges -forming'the shed 113 and passes t rough the 66, 166, 67 and 167 are connected by cords 115 to ated. J The beater mechanism, which is shown in the elevational view of Fig. 4 com rises an upper beam 1% extending transverse y across the loom and hinged as at 5 to the brackets 4, Fig. 1. Depending from the beam 10 is a pair of swords 11 carrying on theirlower ends the shuttle race 12, reed 14 and hand rail 13.

,At the opposite ends of the shuttle race 12 are the shuttle boxes 15 and 16. These may be of any preferred construction having a bottom 116 upon which the'shuttle 100 may pedals'7'-7, by which they are operrest and which bottom isin line with the shut- 1 ing any partof my invention need not be I are shown diagrammatically in' Fig. 10,

where, as is the usual arrangement, the race lies immediately below the lower shed 117. Depending from the'ilpper beam 10 of the beater are picker sticks 22 and 28. These are mounted to swing from right to left and vice versa, as viewed in Fig. 4, around trun-' nions '23. on their upper ends (see Figs. 6 and 7), andto rise and fall as they swing. Perforatiofis in the beam 10 having vertical grooves are provided as guideways for the trunnions durlngthe rising and falling movement. Adjacent grooves 26 are also provided to give clearance to the upper ends of the picker sticks .as they swing. The swinging movement is given to the pickerstick 22 to swing it toward the left as Viewed in Fig.4 by a cord 51 upon which the operator exerts a pull in a manner to be described; the swing in the opposite direction is effected by the blow of the shuttle 100 as' the shuttle flies toward the rightin Fig. 4 and strikes a picker 24 on the lower end of the picker stick 22.

The concurrent rising and falling move 31, pivoted at one end to the picker st1ck as at 32 and pivoted at its other end as at 30 to a horizontal bracket 27 mounted on the sword 11 of the beater frame. The purpose of the rising and falling movement of the picker stick is' to cause the piker 24 on the lower end of the stick to follow a substantially horizon-. tal straight line in the shuttle box 15 as the picker stick swings, in order that when the picker stick swings to throw the shuttle, as, for example, when the stick 22 swings toward the left in Fig. 4, the picker will project the shuttle in a horizontal line: The throwtoward the left of the picker stick 22' is limited by a stop 37 on a bracket 35 mounted on the sword 11 shown in Figs. 4 and 8, and the ghrow toward the right is stopped by the cord The picker stick 28 has movements identical to those of the stick 22 except that they are in the opposite direction. Cords 50 and 51 respectively connect the picker sticks 28 and 22 to a device by which the operator may alternatively exert a pull on the cords 50 and 51 to throw the shuttle back and forth throwing it from one box across-the race and stopping it in the other box. Y t

The picker 24 on the low end of the picker stick is, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, preferably composed of a piece of leather, laced onto the end of the picker stick and provided with a circular aperture 117 into which the nose of the shuttle enters when it strikes the picker to insure that the end of the picker stick will be carried along with it, The aperture 117 also enables the picker to advantageouslyengage the tail of the shuttle for throwing'it,

.the point 48.

when the picker stick swings in the reverse direction. a

The device for throwingthe shuttle above referred to comprises generally a steeple 4O rising from the upper beam 10 of. the beater frame, a cord 43 attached to the upper end of the steeple, as at 41, and, on the lower end of the cord 43 a system of flexible elements connected together in the form of a closed four-sided figure, and a handle 47 connected thereto according to .thefollowing arrangement. w

The system comprises two cords 45-45 diverging downwardly from the lower end 42 of the cord 43 and connected as at 44 at their lower ends to the upper ends of a strap 46. A handle 47 is secured to the'strap 46 midway of its ends as by a wr'a ping 48. The

cords 50 and 51 above referre to are attached .A-A between the points'42 and 49 and two lower sides B-B between the points49 and -As clearly illustrated in Fig. 4m solid lines the parts thus described are ,soproportionedand arranged that when the. picker stick'28.

has thrown the shuttle 100 toward the right and is against its stop 37, and the picker stick 22 is at the extreme right hand end of its swinging stroke and ready to throw the shuttle back-again, the cords 50 and 51 hold the elements B--B substantially in a horizontal straight line.

If now the handle 47 be pulled downwardk ly, the closed figure will be thereby collapsed and closed up, the sides A and B thereof assuming the positions indicated in broken lines generally at 200.

As the handle 47 moves downwardly, pull is exerted on the cords 50 and 51, but the picker stick 28 being held against movement by its stop 37, the pull causes the stick 22 only to move and it is pulled toward-the stop 37 by the. cord 51 and throws the shuttle 100. When the shuttle reaches the picker stick 28, it strikes the picker 24 thereon and the shuttle will move the picker. stick 28 toward the left pulling on the cord 50 and again opening up the closed system, AB, moving the parts thereof to the position indicated in broken lines at 201. A downward pull on the bandle 47 will now swing the picker stick 28 in the other direction and throw the shuttle back again to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 completing one cycle of operations for the mechanism. 1

.The employment of the closed figure A -B results in more thanmerely translating vertical movements of the handle 47 into horizontal pulls on the cords 50 and 51 as might at first consideration appear; With the parts in the solid line position, the sides B--B of the closed figure are in a substantially straight horizontal line. Therefore, when downward -movement is first applied to the handle 47, it is applied, in principle, to the middle of a horizontally disposed line suspended at its ends at the points 4949. The application of a very small force, therefore, on the handle at the center of this line will exert a very great force tending to bring the points 49 toward each other; and a relatively great movement of the handle 47, causes only small movement of the points 49 toward each other. As the handle 47 moves downwardly, the reverse gradually becomes true, and the point 49 tends to move more and more rapidly and the handle tends to move more and more slowly.

As will be observed, the employment of this principle results in an ideal movement of the picker sticks. Referring to Fig. 4, upon depressing the handle 47, the picker stick 22 is set in motion by a powerful force andthe force is applied with an accelerating movement to throw the shuttle by a relatively light force on the handle 47 through a relatively great distance, which is, of course, all to the advantage of the operator enabling him to throw the shuttle with the minimum of effort. I p

A corresponding advantage is also obtained at the end of the stroke when the shuttle reaches the picker stick 28. At this time the closed figure is in the shape indicated generally at 200 and now, each side A and the adjacent side B of the closed figure are in a straight line direction, vertically, and again,

in principle, constitute a straight line between the points 42 and the point 48 between which the cord 50 is attached.

The force communicated to the picker stick 28 by the flying shuttle exerts pull on the cord 50. Since, as above explained, a small force applied on the cord 50-will exert a great force tending to pull the points 42 and 48 toward each other and at relatively great velocity of movement-longitudinally of thecord 50, the momentum of the shuttle, converted into pull on the cord 50, will, immediately after impact of the shuttle on the stick 28, exert a strong upward pull on the handle 47, the pull'diminishing as the point 48 moves toward the point 42 and the parts of the closed figure I take up the position as shown at 201 and the rate of movement upwardly of the handle tending to increase.

Thus, in stopping the shuttle after 1ts throw the mechanical advantage of the arrangement shown becomes apparent, the relative small pull on the cord50 being able to exert a. liftm force on the hand of the operator at the eginning of the movement of the stick 28 and with an accelerating rate of movement of his hand and decelerated movement of the picker stick.

Not onl does the closed system thus pro-' vided ena le the operator to apply force advantageously to throw'the shuttle and per mit the momentum of the shuttle to be advantageously absorbed, but the employment of the closed system described has an additional and equally important function in tending to induce the necessary rhythmical movement of the operators hand and to conserve his muscular "energy resulting in less fatigue and increased output, as hereinbefore referred to.

In this connection, it will be observed that the operators hand follows the U-shaped path indicated by the heavy broken line at 202, this line being the locus of a given point in the handle 47. Starting a ain with the parts in the position shown in ig. 4 in solid lines, when the operators hand starts downwardly, it obviously starts from rest and its rate of movement naturally decreases toward the bottom of the stroke and this is in exact correspondence with the inherent tendency of the system as above described and this natural movement of the operators hand at a distinct mechanical advantage or leverage and without mental effort on the part of the operatorv applies to the picker stick 22 a continued impulse of exactly the correct characteristics to start the shuttle 100 into motion from rest and to throw it.

When the operators hand'approaches the bottom of the stroke, due to the swinging strikes the other picker stick 28 and as above described exertsa decidedly perceptible lifting force on the operators hand. This force is entirely without shock to the hand. The op'erators hand continues completing the U-shaped type of movement and at the top of its movement has completely absorbed the momentum of the shuttle. The varying lifting force on the operators hand indicates to him the stopping of the shuttle.

The movements of the operators hand and the forces involved to throw the shuttleback in the other direction are exactly the same as above described. Again, the natural tend- 'ency of 'the operator in movin his hand through a U-shaped path would be starting at the top on one side to 'decelerate toward the bottom and accelerate toward the top' on the other side, that is, the vertical movement would become-slower or stop at the bottom of the stroke where it must reverse in direction. 'This is exactly the character of movement which the reactions of the mecha nism tend to cause his hand to take; that is,

the collapsing of the closed figure as his hand moves downwardly decelerates his hand movement and the opening up of the closed figureon the up furthermore, the downward decelerated movement of his hand is accompanied by an accelerated movementof the picker stick to.

throw the shuttle which is thus an ideal me chanical concurrence of movement, and the upward movement of the hand inthe reverse direction, which must necessarily start'slow- 1y upon its reversal of direction is accompanied by the rapid, but decelerated movement of the picker stick, which is again an ideal concurrent relation. s.

Thus, by enabling the operator to propel or throw the shuttle and to' stop it at a me chanical advantage, and by a movement which is not merel reeiprocatory rectilinear,

as well as vertical components, and being reacted upon by the mechanism to slow down" at the bottom of the I so plishedl stroke preparatory to reversal, and being able to feel'the stopping of the shuttleas wellas the throwing of it, the operator naturally falls into an easy rapid rhythmical movement partly induced by the reactions of the mechanismfitself to throw the shuttle backand forth. Great speed of operation minimum of fatigue is-thus accomand the The mechanism bywhich the swinging of the heater is. controlled will now be described. It will be understood that the entire assembly of the beater and vpicker mechanism shown in Fig. 4, when viewed from Y the side as shown in Fig. 1, swings from side to side on the hinge 5 at the upper end there- I v fly wheel 90 supported on the bed 1 on a of. The bed 1 is cut away as at 10 on an arc, circular about the hinge 5, to clear the lower side of the shuttle race 12'. A bracket 92 secured to the lower side of the shuttle box 15 swings with it around the" hinge 5.

The bracket, 92 is connected to a pitman rod 91 by a rotary bearing 119 atone end thereof; and atits other end the pitman rod 91 is connected by a rotary bearing 120 to asuitable shaft or hearing 121. The fly' wheel has diametrically opposite energy storage element may be determined. The bearings 119 and 120 may-if, desired be antifriction bearings of well known design; In respect to the flexible polygonal element above referred to, comprising the sides A-A and BB, my invention is not limited to the exactconstruction shown and de-. scribed. It is not essential'that the polygon be constructed of straps or cords or other like flexible material. A golygon'constructed of pieces A-A and B of wood, metal, wire or other rigid material with hinge connections at the corners of the polygon and hinged to the handle 47 will be the equivalent of the stroke accelerates it; and.

. material hinged to each beating stroke, or may push polygon d'escribed-abovex Similarly the sides A- may each be constructed from a piece of resilient material and the two pieces hinged together at 42 and 48; or the sides AA and B-B may be made from resilient other at 4949; or the entire closed figure ABB may be constructed as a single resilient loop or hoo like element; Thus my invention may he practiced with many .variants and modifications of the closed figure shown and described, each of which may provide a closed figure element having the quality of flexibili? ty, whereby it may be elongated in one direction and correspondingly shortened in a the operator i' through the bracket 92 and pitman rod 91' rotates the fly wheel continuously in one d1rect'ion. Theparts'just described are indicated in a diagrammatic way in Fig. 10,

where the beater is shown in approximately its most distant position, or in one of thepositions in which the shuttle may go through the shed. In brokenlines the beater .is shown in its most forward or beatingmp position: I i By means of this construction, when the beater is once'set in motion, it will tend to continue in motion due to the energy stored up in the'fly wheel :90. To keep swinging the operator may pull upon it on upon it upon each return, stroke ormay alternately push and ull; thus the operator is relieved from the atigue of monotonously repeating the same movementsindefinitely with the same set of muscles, which has always resulted from swinging back and forth the beater of usual construction.

the beater Furthermore, the stroke of the beater is' to rest or stopped 'at the fell and always at the same point 'due to the fixed dimensions of the pitman rod 91, bracket 92 and wheel gradually and smoothly stopped ,or brought 90. ThlS'I'GSliltS in more uniform heating at the fell :and .produces 'a ,better quality of work. Furthermore, in contrast -to prior practice the beater is not stopped-by impact of-a part of the beateron a part of the main frame as in the usual construction. Thus, the usual noise, vibration and wear and tear on the loom are obviated; and even more important, the operator is not subjected to the.

discomfort and fati e resulting from the shock and noise oft "e by impact in the usual manner.

Again,'due to the flywheel 90, the'peri odicity of the swing of the beater tends to' be beater when stopped Y inherently constant and enables the operator to time the throw of the shuttle and the movement of the heddle pedals with the strokes of the beater more accurately than in constructions in which, as heretofore, the

periodicity of the beater depended solely .upon the impulses given to it by the operators hand. .Thus the operator is enabled to set up a much more rapid rhythm or movemnt and with greater ease and less fatigue than in looms as heretofore constructed, and, as referred to hereinbefore, is thusv enabled to effect a greater production of work.

In Figs. 2 and .3 and diagrammatically in Fig. 10 is shown the sheddingframe, the heddle frames and the means associated therd'ewith for adjusting the upper and lower s e s.

transverse overhead supporting beam 110 provided with screws 123 threaded vertically through the ends of the beam, the lower ends 0f the screws resting on the brackets 4-4 and the upper ends having crank handles for turning them. By turningthe screws, the beam 110 and the rest of the shedding frame associated therewith andto be de- ,dle system is provided which will presently scribed may be adjustably raised or lowered or leveled.

De ending from the beam 110 are two side bars 070 connected together at their lower ends by a transverse bar 124. Within the shedding frame, a four harness balanced hedbe described. The entire shedding frame .thus constructed is supported by the screws 123 and may be adjusted thereby as a unit, as above described. I a

To prevent the shedding frame from swinging or rocking on the lower ends of the screws 123 the side bars 70 are preferably adjustably anchored to the risers 33 by one or more links 190 bolted to the riser 3 by a bolt and wing nut 191 passing through an adjusting slot 192 in the link; and the free end of the link being pivotally connected to the side bar 70 as at 193. The heddle frames, referred to above are in two sets: 66 and 166, and 67 and 167. Each heddle frame, for example the frame 66 comprises a lower,and an upper rail 168 and 169, respectively, connectedat their ends by end members 170. Between the upper and lower rails, the usual heddles are provided. These heddles are omitted in Figs. 2 and 3, for simplicity, but are indicated, at 171 inFig. 10. Each heddle has the usual eye 17 2 through which the warp threads pass, as will be discussed later. 1

' As shown in 2 and 3 the lower heddle rails are adapted normally to rest upon slopmg blocks or stops 17 3 on the bottom part 124 of the shedding frame. The upper heddle.

rails are adapted to impinge upon and be stopped at the upper limit of their up-anddown movement by sloping adjusted stops 17 4 secured to'the side bar 7 O by adjusting screws Theshedding frame comprises a per shed. Then, as indicate 175'passing throu h vertical adjusting slots in the stops 17 4. y means of hooks 177 in the lower heddle rails, the cords 115' attached to the pedals as shown in Fig. 1 are secured to the heddle frames. When, in the raising and lowering of the heddle frames by the edals to form and reform the shed the heddle rames impinge upon the stops 174 and 173,

noise of impact may be prevented or absorbed b padding the surfaces of the stops 173 and 1 4 by pads indicated at 203 and 204, Fig. 3. The heddle frames just described are supported in the shedding frame in the following manner. By means of screws 61 passing downwardly through the supporting beam 110 and adjustable vertically by nuts 178, a tubular roll 62 is supported, the screws 61 terminating downwardly in books which enter the outer ends of the roll 62 and have r0- tary bearing connection therewith. Wrapped on, secured ti: and depending from the roll 62 are twopairs of fabric straps 17 9-17 9 and 180-180. The lower ends of these straps terminate in, hooks .or other bearing devices whichenter the open ends of-rollers 65-65, and have rotary bearing connection therewith. The bearingconnections in the outer ends of the rollers 62 and 65 referred to maybe if desired anti-friction bearings of any well known type. From each of the rollers 65 two pairspf fabric straps wound there-- on and secured thereto depend as shown at,-

71-71' and 7 272. The straps 71 are secured to the upper edge ofthe rail of the heddle frame 66 and the straps 72 are similarly connected to the upper rail of the heddle frame 166.v Similar straps depend from the other roller 65 and connect with the upper rails of the heddle frames 67 and 167.

By meansof this construction if the adraised heddles will be on a line substantially parallel with the slope of the upper stop, and thus all of the warp threads 79 entering the upper eyes 172 pass throughthem and form n an upper shed 185, all in one plane, parallel to the stop 17 4 and this will obtain at various adjusted heights of the stop 17 4. If necessary to maintain the warp in one plane, the block 174 may be rotated slightly about the screws Similarly the eyes in the two lower heddles, as shown in Fig. 10, are on aline with the \lower stop 173 and thus form the lower shed 117 parallel to the slope of the lower stop.

Thus, all of the threads of the lower shed lie in a plane, as is necessary in order-for the shuttle to fly through the shed without obstruction. r

If it be desired to improve or widen the shed, this may be done by first raising the stop 174 and then raising the roller 62 and there with the rollers 65 by means of the adjust-- ing nuts 178 until the upper heddle rails engage the sloping stop 17 4, and, as will be apparent, this adjustment can be made without disturbing the lower shed, which is determined, as above described, by the lower stop 173 and the lower heddle rails stopped thereon.

Also, the lower shed may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly to position it relative to the shuttle race, and without disturbing the other adjustments by raising or lowering or leveling the shedding frame'as a whole by means of the screws '12 j The adjusting nuts 178 also provide a quick and convenient means to restore the heddles to their initial adjusted positions if, due to any cause, they shift therefrom. For example, if thestraps 71 or 72 should stretch, the eyes 172 on the heddle frames 166 and 167 would be too low, and this could be corrected by tightening up the nuts 178 to raise the rollers and raise and, if necessary, level up the upper heddle framesfcorrespondingly.

. In Figs. 10 and 3,.the heddle frames 166 and 167 are shown in the .upper position. If

the pedals are operated to raise the heddle frames 66 and 67 and lower the heddle frames 166 and 167, the warp threads forming the upper shed exchange places with those forming the lower shed, but the new sheds are in planes as before, because the sloping stops 173 and 174 will stop the heddles with their eyes in saidplanes. V

To rotate the cloth beam to wind up the woven fabric, I have provided the mechanism shown in Fig. 9 and indicated in Fig. 1. 'It comprises aratchet wheel 89 on the shaft of the cloth beam and a pawl device for notching it ahead one notch each time the beater executes a swing The pawl device is constructed as follows:

On the upper end of the heddle frame adacent to the hinge 5 is ,a horizontal pawl support 88, Fig. 1, in the outer end of which is pivoted a depending pawl arm 87 maintained resiliently in a clockwise direction by a coiled tension spring 101 secured by its opposite ends to the riser 3 at 102,and 103, and giving a resilient thrust toward the left, Fig. 1,'on a strut 100, the right end of which is hooked or notched to embrace the spring 101 and the left end of which is notched or otherwise a seated in the arm 87.

As clearly shown in Fig. 9, the lower end of the arm 87 carries a pawl 93 provided with a pair of pins 186 (only; one of which is shown) Upon a plate 99 secured to the main frame of the loom is a spring 96 the free end of which 70 engages a hook 97, forming part of a ratchet stop' 95,- which is pivoted on the plate 99.

The spring holds the stop 95 in engagement with the ratchet teeth to prevent'backward rotation of the-ratchet wheel. Upon each clockwise swing of the beater frame, the upper end -of thepawl arm'87 revolves around the hinge 5, giving an upward movement to the pawl 93, causing it to engage the ratchet teeth and notch them ahead.

When the beater swings in the other di rection the cam headv 98 rides downwardly and outwardly over the stop 95 freeing the pawl 93 from the ratchet.

The angle through whichthe cloth beam is notched at each operation may be regulated support 88. Also to adapt the device to different types of fabric, interchangeable ratchet wheels 89 of different numbers of teeth may be provided.

Having thus described my'invention in a specific embodiment, I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made from the embodiment herein illustrated and described but without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim 1. In a picking mechanism for hand-operated looms, a frame, a pair of picker sticks mounted for reciprocating movement on the frame, and hand-operatedmeans for alternately reciprocating the sticks, said means comprising a flexible linear element of polygonal form,a support for the polygon at one side thereof, a handle on'the opposite side thereof for elongating the polygon, and a flexible connection between each of the picker sticks and the polygon, joined to the latter at opposite sides thereof and at points between the, supported side and handle side of the polygon.

. 2; .In a picker mechanism for hand-operhorizontally, a support for the quadrilateral.

element at its upper-corner, a handle on the element at its lower. corner, a connection be-' tween each of its lateral corners and a picker I stick whereby the handle may be depressed to elongate the quadrilateral element vertically to exert 'a pull upon one or the other of the picker sticks.

3. In 'a picking mechanism for hand-opera ated looms, a frame, a pair of picker sticks mounted for reciproca'tory movement on the by movement in one direction and theother stick may be moved by the thrown shuttle from a corresponding stop to a shuttle throwing position in one direction and these movements ma'y be repeated in the reverse direc= element of quadrilateral form, with its diagonals vertical and horizontal, a support for the quadrilateral at its upper corner, a handle for the quadrilateral secured to its lower corner, and a cord connecting the right and left corners of the quadrilateral respectively with one each of the picker sticks, whereby when one picker stick is engaged with its stop the handle may be depresse to elongate the quadrilateral and exert a pull on one cord to move its connected picker stick, and thereby throw the shuttle, and the handle may then be elevated 'to shorten the quadrilateral topermit the other picker stick to move when the thrown shuttle impinges thereupon.

4. In a picking mechanism for hand operated looms, a frame, a pair of pickersticks mounted for reciprocating movement on the frame, and means for giving reciprocatory movement to the sticks alternately, said means comprising a flexible linear element of polygonal form, a support for the polygon on the frame, movable means connected to the polygon on a portion thereof generally opposite to the polygon support, whereby.

upon movement -of the movable means the polygon may be elongated, a connection between each of the picker sticks and the polygon joined to the latter on generally opposite portions thereof and at points between the polygon support and the movable means.

5. In a picking mechanism for looms, a frame, a picker stick movably mounted on the frame and means for moving the stick, said means comprising a flexible movable element of polygonal form, a support for the polygon on the frame, operable means connected'to the polygon at a point generally opposite its point of support, and a connection between the stick and the polygon. at a point on the latter between its'pointof support and the operable means, whereby the operable means may be moved to elongate the polygon.

6. In a picking mechanism for looms, a frame, a picker stick movably mounted on the frame and means for moving the stick, said means comprising an element in the form of a flexible closed figure, a support for the element on the frame, operable means connected to the element at a point generallybpposite its point of support and a connection .between the stick and the figure at a point on .the latter between its point of support and the operable means, whereby upon movement of the operable means the polygon maybe tion, said means comprising a linear flexible elongated in one direction and contracted in a transverse direction to exert a moving force on the stick.

. 7. In a picking mechanism for looms, a frame, a picker stick movably mounted on the frame and means for moving the stick, said means comprising an element in the form of a flexible closed figure, a support for the 'element on the frame, operable means connected to the element at a point generally opposite its point of support and a connection between the stick and the figure at a point on the latter between its point of support and the operable means,'whereby upon movement of the operable means the polygon may be elongated in one direction and contracted-in a transverse direction to exert a moving force on the stick, whereby upon movement of the operable means in one direction the polygon may be contracted in a transverse direction to exert a moving force on the stick and whereby upon movement of the operable means in the other direction the polygon may be expanded in the transverse direction in accordance with the return'movement of the stick.

mechanism for looms, a

8. In a picking frame, a picker stlck movably mounted onthe frame, a flexible element of polygonal form,

a support for the polygon on the frame, operable means connected withvthe polygon at a point generally opposite its point of support and a connection between the stick and the polygon at a point on the latter between its point of support and the operable means,

whereby upon movement of the operable means in one direction the polygon may be contracted in a transverse direction to exert a moving force on the stick.

9. In a picking mechanism for looms a I frame, a picker stick movably mounted on the frame, a flexible element of polygonal form, a support for the polygon on the frame, op-

erable means connected with the polygon at a point generally opposite its point of support and a connection between the stick and the polygon at a point on the latter between its point of support and the operable means,

-whereby upon movement of the operable means in one direction the polygon may be contracted in a transverse direction to exert a moving force on the stick, and whereby upon movementof the operable means in the other direction, the polygon may be expanded in the transverse direction in correspondence with the return movement of the stick. 10. In a picking mechanism. for looms, a frame, a pair of picker sticks mounted for reciprocatory movement on the frame, means for successively reciprocating the sticks ,in one direction and then in theother direction in timed relation so that one stick may be moved from. a shuttle engaging position to throw the shuttle and engage a stop by movement in one direction and the other stick may be successively subsequently moved by the thrown shuttle from a corresponding stop to a shuttle return throwing position, and these movements may be repeated in the reverse direction, said means comprising an'element in the form of a flexible closed figure, a support for the figure on the frame, operable means connected to the figure at apoint generally opposite its point of support, a connecting element between each stick and the m figure on opposite points thereof between the point of support and the operable means, whereby when one picker stick is engaged with its stop and upon movement of the operable means, the figure may be elongated in one direction and contracted in a transverse direction to exert a pull on the other stick to throw the shuttle and whereby upon movemeat of the operable means in the reverse dlr reetion, the other stick upon engagement therewith by the moving shuttle may expand the figure in the transverse direction.

11. In a picking mechanism for looms, a frame, a pair of picker sticks mounted for ieeiprocatory movement on the frame, means 5 for alternatively successively reciprocating the sticks in one direction and then in the other direction in timed relation so that one stick may be moved to throw the shuttle, and the other stick may be moved by the thrown 3o shuttle to its shuttle returned throwing position, and these movements ma-y be continuously repeated in the reverse direction, said means comprising a flexible element of quadrilateral form with its diagonals verheal and horizontal, a support for the quadrilateral at its upper corner, a handle for the quadrilateral at its lower corner, a connection between the right and left corners for the quadrilateral respectively, one each ofthe picker sticks whereby when the handle is depressed the quadrilateral may be contracted horizontally and exert a: moving force on one stick to move it and throw the shuttle and whereby when the handle is elevated, the

stick against which the shuttle is thrown may expand the quadrilateral horizontally pre' paratory to a repetition of said movements in the reverse direction.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature thisGth day ofNovernber 1929.

DAVID c. CHU'RdHILL. 

